Automatic sprinkler alarm and indicator.



F. W. MILLIKBN.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER ALARM AND INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

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FRANK W. MILLIKEN, OF AUBURN, MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHENEY (l. BROWN,

. OF AUBURN, MAINE.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER ALARM AND INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Application filed December 30, 1907. Serial No. 408.510.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, FRANK W. MILLIKEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of Androscoggin and State of Maine, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Sprinkler Alarms and Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic sprinkler alarm and indicator systems and is especially designed in case of fire to give an alarm and to indicate at the same time the floor or compartment in the building in which the fire is located, the alarm and indicator being located at some convenient position.

It is designed to be readily connected with any automatic sprinkler system and may be used in case of any fluid under pressure. I have shown it adapted to be used in connec tion with a water sprinkler system but it will be obvious that any fluid under pressure can be substituted for water.

In the drawings herewith accompanying and making part of this application, Figure 1 is a view partly in section of my invention showing, however, only one circuit closing device the side of the chamber containing the circuit closure being removed to show the circuit closing mechanism. It will be understood, of course, that there may be as many of these distributed throughout a building as may be found desirable. Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of the circuit closing devices.

In said drawings A represents a main and B a conduit of the sprinkler system. Interposed between the main pipe A and conduit B, is inserted a valve casing C having a valve D pivotally mounted therein at some point as E. Adjacent the valve casing is a closed chamber F in which a gear wheel G is rotatably mounted on a spur II. This gear is operated by a rack I having teeth meshing therewith and having one end J extending through the valve casing and connected by a link K to the valve D. A spring L attached one end to the valve casing and the other to a lug M on rack I tends constantly to hold the valve yieldingly closed and to return it when opened. Rigidly attached to the wheel G is an arm N carrying a contact 0 separated therefrom by an insulator P. In the bottom of the chamber is a post Q carrying a semicircular contact R separated from the post by an insulator S. These points and R are adapted to complete a circuit through battery T, bell alarm U and annunciator V.

The operation of my improved device is as follows: In its normal condition the main A, valve casing D and system B are charged with fluid under pressure at rest. When the vents in the sprinkler system melt the fluid flows out thereof and the fluid under pressure in the main passes through the valve casing C forcing open valve D, rotating gear G, closing the electric circuit, causing the ringing of-the alarm bell and operating the indicator for the floor or compartment in which the fire is located or the sprinklers are in action.

The advantages of my improved system are that the operating mechanism is entirely inclosed in a suitable chamber and cannot become clogged or impeded in any way. It may be readily inserted in any system when installed or at any other time without interfering to any extent with the system. It positively indicates the exact floor or compartment in which the fire is located or the sprinklers are in action thus aiding the firemen in their work and obviating the necessity of flooding any other compartment than that in which the fire is located. It is simple in construction and operates with absolute certainty. It operates with great ease and a slight flow of the fluid is suflicient to make the contact and Work the bell and annunciator.

Having thus described my invention and its use I claim 1- 1. In an automatic sprinkler alarm and indicator, a main, a sprinkler system, a valve interposed between said main and said sprinkler system, a closed chamber adj acent said valve, a gear rotatably mounted in said chamber and carrying an electric contact, a post in said chamber and carrying an electric contact insulated therefrom and positioned so that the rotation of said gear causes the movable contact to pass on to and along said stationary contact, a rack adapted to rotate said gear operable automatically by means of said valve and an electric circuit comprising a battery, bell, annunciator and suitable wiring.

2. In an automatic sprinkler alarm and indicator, a main, a sprinkler system a valve interposed between said main and said sprinkler system, a closed chamber adjacent said valve, a gear rotatably mounted in said chamber and carrying an electric contact, a post set in said chamber and carrying an electric contact positioned so that the rotation of said gear is adapted to make and break a circuit, said contacts being both Wholly Within said closed chamber, a rack adapted to rotate said gear operable automatically by means of said valve and an electric circuit comprising a battery, bell, annunciator and suitable wiring. i

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing Witnesses this twenty-sixth day of December, 1907.

FRANK W. MILLIKEN.

In presence of N. 1. JORDAN, RUBY E. RENDALL. 

